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‘Your Honour, we have presented a case built upon the murders of Fiona Mitchell, Danielle Harper and Gary Turner. Like the aforementioned, their killer, Martin Brass was also a victim of the horrors inflicted by Father Brendan O'Malley and Father Andrew Doyle at Our Lady and St Patrick's children's home between 1980 and 1985. He has shared his victims pain, anguish and torments, but through tenacious detective work, DI Jessica Ryan has meticulously uncovered the truth of Martin Brass’s personal vendetta against the two priests and his role in their demise goes way beyond being a victim and adds layers of complexity to his crimes. Mr Brass’s motive was not just revenge but a dark desire for control; therefore, we believe we have an unassailable case.’ QC Derek Chambers said in his opening speech.

Shifting his focus, Chambers addressed the accused, ‘Mr. Brass, your testimony was crucial to our case. Can you confirm that your account is truthful, and Father Brendan O'Malley was the true perpetrator behind systemic abuse of children at Our Lady and St Patrick's children's home between 1980 and 1985?

Brass looked at him nervously. ‘Yes... that's… what I said.’

‘Your Honour, I believe there’s more to Mr. Brass's story than meets the eye. He has a history of mental instability, caused by systemic abuse as a child, therefore we must question the reliability of his testimony, despite Detective Ryan’s evidence,’ Brass’s defence barrister, Alicia Sinclair QC said.

The judge called to the stand Detective Ryan.

‘Your Honour, this has been a very difficult case to get a handle on, but I stand by the evidence we've gathered. There's no doubt that Martin Brass, Danielle Harper, Gary Turner and Fiona Mitchell were all abused by Father O’Malley and Father Doyle. In Martin Brass’s case, we are dealing with an extremely devious killer who has made it his life’s work to manipulate some very vulnerable people who were supposed to be his childhood friends. He used their awful shared experiences for his own agenda, which was not only to murder Father O’Malley with their help in 1993, but also to expose Father Doyle as this ghostly figure Mr Brass discovered in later life to be THE SHEPHERD: a priest who Father O’Malley called upon to administer severe punishment in the form of caning the older, stronger teenagers: boys O’Malley wasn’t any longer able to sexually abuse because they fought back.’ She held up Father O’Malley’s diary. ‘The discovery of Father O’Malley’s confession diary in Mary Delaware’s possession; describes details of abuse and beatings and portrays the priest’s internal struggle with his guilt and his desperate plea for forgiveness from God.’

Sensing an opportunity, the prosecution asked, ‘DI Ryan to be absolutely clear, I take it that when you say Mr Brass manipulated vulnerable people who were supposed to be his childhood friends you mean he coerced fellow abuse victims into helping him murder Father O’Malley in 1993?’ Chambers asked.

‘That’s correct. Father O’Malley’s death certificate states the cause of death was hypothermia, a caretaker discovered his body in the freezing back garden at his assisted living accommodation. The caretaker who found him said O’Malley was having a cigarette, but in hindsight, we must question why a frail wheelchair bound eighty-eight-year-old would do such a foolish thing. Mary Delaware told me during a lengthy interview she believed O’Malley was pushed out of his wheelchair: she implied someone murdered him,’ Jess said dropping the bombshell.

Seizing upon this, Chambers turned to the accused. ‘Mr Brass what do you have to say about DI Ryan’s murder theory, bearing in mind she falsely convicted an innocent woman who you framed for your atrocious crimes? I have it on good authority that Mary Delaware has submitted a miscarriage of justice appeal to the independent Criminal Cases Review Commission.’

Jess felt a pang of regret hit her core, but didn’t rise to Chambers provocation. She was fully aware of the shit storm heading her way like a violent hurricane over the Peak District.

Brass shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly.

Intervening, the judge said, ‘Mr Brass the prosecution has asked you a direct question, please give us your answer either way?’

‘That vile paedophile got what he deserved.’

Sensing things were heading in a difficult direction for her client, Alicia Sinclair countered. ‘Mr. Brass, I know this is difficult, but can you tell us how your metal heath affects your daily life? We know that you have a history of mental health issues?’

Reluctantly he replied, ‘My mind… goes into darkness… I… suffer terrible nightmares of what happened. It makes me so angry.’

Sinclair continued, ‘And when you experience these episodes what happens?’

‘I… describe it… like watching…,’ Brass said his eyes glazing over.

‘It’s OK, take your time,’ Sinclair said trying to put him at ease.

‘Like watching myself through a video camera and someone else is directing my actions from a script,’

‘I see, so would it be correct to say these episodes made you absent when you committed these terrible murders?’

‘I don’t understand,’ Brass said.

‘In a trance like state: comparable to being hypnotised?’

‘Yes, but that doesn't change what Father O'Malley and Father Doyle did to me and the others,’ Brass said as if absolving himself.

‘OK, thank you for explaining, Mr Brass,’ Sinclair said before turning to the bench. ‘Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, we must consider Mr. Brass's mental state. In fact, we now know he has been prescribed antipsychotic drugs to keep at bay his often debilitating PTSD and anxiety, and psychiatric reports echo what Mr Brass has just told us. Here’s a quote from one of those reports by Dr Carmichael of the Harplands Psychiatric unit at Royal Stoke.’ She said looking down at her notes. “‘The patient often suffers psychosis and severe disassociation, a state in which a traumatic part of his life becomes separated from the rest of his personality and functions independently.”’ Therefore, ladies and gentlemen you must question if he is responsible for his misguided actions.’

‘Your Honour, while Mr. Brass's mental health should be considered, the focus should remain on his dreadful acts of murder, not Father O'Malley's and Father Doyle’s historic crimes, which neither of the deceased priests are able to contest. Mr Brass has deceived not only the court but his victims as well. Despite Father O’Malley’s diary; can we trust the testimony of someone with a history of mental instability and pathological delusions of control?’

‘Objection, Mr Chambers, please refrain from trying to influence the jury with supposition,’ the judge reprimanded him.

‘Understood, your honour,’ Chambers said before turning to the accused. ‘Mr. Brass, is it not true that you bear a secret: a secret that, if revealed, would shatter the credibility of this entire case?’

The courtroom held its breath. Martin Brass hesitated, his eyes darting between the accusing gazes of the legal teams, the jury, and Jess.

Covertly shaking her head, Alicia Sinclair shot her client a stern look.

But it was no use, with an eerie calmness, Martin Brass admitted to his deceit: a lie crafted to manipulate the police, a lie that Jess had said painted Mary Delaware as a monster when, in fact, Mary’s only crimes were to conceal Father O’Malley’s confession Diary and the incriminating ledgers exposing Father Doyle.

In a shocking twist, Martin Brass revealed that he had coerced Danielle, Gary, and Fiona Mitchell into collaborating with him to murder Father O’Malley in 1993. Their past pain and vulnerability became tools in his quest for vengeance against the Church that had failed to protect them. But years of rough sleeping and drug and alcohol abuse had led them to blackmail Martin and extort all his life’s savings. When they came back for more, he killed them, but categorically denied killing Fiona Mitchell, claiming she slipped and crashed down the cellar at Our Lady and St Patrick’s kid’s home. Her death was an unfortunate accident.

As the truth unravelled, the courtroom fell into stunned silence.

In a shocking turn, Martin Brass addressed the Judge, his demeanour that of a broken man seeking some justice. ‘Your Honour, there's something I need to strongly emphasise. Father O’Malley and Father Doyle were evil men hiding behind the Catholic Church’s protective influence. They abused both young boys and girls with the darkest depravity in the freezing cellar at Our Lady and Saint Patrick’s. Beatings, caning, anal and oral penetration were regularly forced upon petrified kids aged between eight and fifteen. I also saw Father O’Malley strangle sickly eight-year-old David Parks to death in 1985, when one of his sick sexual games went badly wrong. O’Malley threatened he’d murder me in my sleep if I told anyone, and then told the rest of the kids Davey had died of pneumonia.

Brass’s revelation silenced the court once more.

The judge asked, ‘Can you provide any proof of this heinous act of murder, Mr Brass?’

Brass shook his head. ‘Despite my pursuit of justice as a young adult; the Catholic Church denied any wrongdoing and both priests were moved around the country to different parishes; to commit more abuse on innocent children, before eventually turning up back in Leek like evil spirits.’

His graphic testimony aligned with some of the events in Father O’Malley’s diary, painting a damning portrait of the priest’s sins.

The tension in the courtroom escalated as Jess and the prosecution disclosed all the evidence found at his property: evidence Brass had used to frame Mary Delaware for the murders. Evidence Jess hoped would lead to his conviction despite her errors of judgement.

As Martin Brass continued his testimony, his gaze met Jess's, a flicker of something unsettling in his eyes.

The Judge addressed the court. ‘Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, this revelation is indeed shocking. It is a reminder that our pursuit of justice must be unwavering. I implore you to consider all the evidence presented, recognizing the complexity of this case.’

Alicia Sinclair addressed the judge for the last time. ‘Your Honour, while we acknowledge Mr. Brass's murderous actions, we cannot lose sight of the true villains here: Father O'Malley and Father Doyle. The victims' pain was real, as is the accused, but considering Mr. Brass's admission; we must explore the possibility of diminished responsibility. His mental state should be a crucial factor in your deliberations, regardless of the police’s evidence.’

The judge turned to the prosecution. ‘Mr Chambers?’

Sensing victory, Derek Chambers went in for the kill. ‘Despite your best efforts, Mrs Sinclair, I’m afraid murder is murder in the eyes of the law, and no amount of bartering can disprove this. Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, I put it to you that Martin Brass is a devious psychopath who has spent years meticulously planning not three, but four murders. My good people, this no doubt will elevate him into the halls of crime fame. But make no mistake; Martin Brass is an extremely dangerous serial killer.’

‘Ladies and gentlemen of the jury, you are tasked with the immense responsibility of delivering justice. Consider all facets of this case, the victims' suffering, Mr. Brass's actions, and the truth behind Father O'Malley's and Father Doyle’s years of abuse. Your decision will shape the course of this complex narrative,’ the Judge said summing up.